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[[File:Werkstatt von Lucas Cranach d.Ä. - Porträt des Philip Melanchton.jpg|thumb|Philipp Melanchthon]]

[[File:Werkstatt von Lucas Cranach d.Ä. - Porträt des Philip Melanchton.jpg|thumb|Philipp Melanchthon]]

'''Philipp Melanchthon''' (1497-1560) was a German reformer, collaborator with [[Martin Luther]], the first systematic theologian of the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] Reformation, and an influential designer of educational systems.  He stands next to Luther and Calvin as a reformer, theologian, and molder of Protestantism.  As much as Luther, he is the primary founder of [[Lutheranism]].  They both denounced what they saw as the exaggerated cult of the saints, the idolatrous adoration of the Host, and the coercion of the conscience in the sacrament of penance that nevertheless could not offer certainty of salvation.

'''Philipp Melanchthon''' (1497-1560) was a German reformer, collaborator with [[Martin Luther]], the first systematic theologian of the [[Protestantism|Protestant Reformation]], and an influential designer of educational systems.  He stands next to Luther and Calvin as a reformer, theologian, and molder of Protestantism.  As much as Luther, he is the primary founder of [[Lutheranism]].  They both denounced what they saw as the exaggerated cult of the saints, the idolatrous adoration of the Host, and the coercion of the conscience in the sacrament of penance that nevertheless could not offer certainty of salvation.

Melanchthon made the distinction between law and gospel the central formula for Lutheran evangelical insight. The "law" meant the Papacy and rigid rituals controlled by priests; the "gospel" meant an individual directly confronting Christ through Bible reading, hymns and prayer.

Melanchthon made the distinction between law and gospel the central formula for Lutheran evangelical insight. The "law" meant the Papacy and rigid rituals controlled by priests; the "gospel" meant an individual directly confronting Christ through Bible reading, hymns and prayer.